Recreation Therapist II PD
- BLS
- Driver's license
How this pay compares
This posting states $44.50 an hour. Open recreational therapist jobs in California post a median of $34.88 an hour, the middle half $31–$44.47, across 11 jobs that state their pay, so this one is above the middle half of what they post. Recreational therapists employed in California earn a median of $47.20 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).
Recreational therapists in California: pay by town and employer
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Mental health and social work jobs in our research
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- Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 0.62x · Clicks 36
- How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 63.8% · Stating an hourly rate 45.7%
From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 11 Nov 2026. Every figure for Mental health and social work jobs
About the job
Cottage Rehab Hospital seeks a Recreation Therapist II PD for their SBCH Therapeutic Rec and Comm Prog department responsible for interpreting, organizing, applying and modifying as necessary medically prescribed recreation therapy to inpatients and/or outpatients. Is responsible for clinical assessment, goal setting, treatment planning, transdisciplinary communication and discharge planning. Administers and supervises therapeutic recreation treatments and completes all medical record documentation. Responsibilities include:
- Provides patient care consistent with the Scope of Practice Standards and Code of Ethics of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. Participates in community outreach programming.
- Participates in program development and quality improvement processes. Competency skills include the ability to provide care in a safe environment utilizing appropriate communication with sensitivity to special populations. This includes patients with diverse cultural backgrounds, age, developmental issues and physical impairments.
The Recreation Therapist II is an independent clinician who is a leader in applying the Cottage Health (CH) Values of excellence, integrity, and compassion in patient care. A Level II clinician provides care in a skilled and effective manner, utilizing learned technical, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
All job qualifications listed indicate the minimum level necessary to perform this job proficiently.
Education
- Minimum: B.S. or B.A. in Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited college.
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
- Minimum: Certified by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification or National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification, or proof of eligibility. Current CA driver's license. American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certified.
- Preferred: Current life guarding certification and adapted aquatics experience.
Technical Requirements
- Minimum: Knowledge of recreation therapy techniques and modalities. Knowledge of body mechanics, including procedure for handling and moving patients. Basic computer skills for chart review and documentation in electronic medical record.
- Preferred: Previous driving experience in transporting patients or people with disabilities.
Years of Related Work Experience
- Minimum: Required 6 months of work as a Recreation Therapist.
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, CA, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.
*Pay for non-physician positions is determined based on related years of experience and internal equity. Eligible employees may also receive additional forms of compensation, including shift differentials, on-call pay, incentive pay, and bonus opportunities, where applicable. Manager and above positions may participate in Cottage Health’s annual management incentive program. Physician compensation is determined based upon specialty and may include bonus potential. For more information on our comprehensive Total Rewards offerings, please visit https://cottagehealth.org/careers/total-rewards .
If you're already a Cottage Health employee, please apply on this link only.
From Cottage Health's job posting, checked 13 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Cottage Health
Cottage Health hires nurses, lab staff and imaging techs in Santa Barbara, Goleta and other towns in California.
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